Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is to meet the North’s potential future First Minister Ian Paisley at Farmleigh in Dublin on Wednesday, it emerged today.

SINN Féin is likely to convene its special Árd Fheis over the crucial issue of policing “within the next few weeks”, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern confirmed last night.

The transitional Northern Assembly has concluded the business of nominating a First and Deputy First Minister, despite uncertainty about the DUP's exact stance on the matter.

PANTOMIME season is in full swing and clearly this year’s most spectacular (and longest running) show was the one that opened in Stormont yesterday.

The British government is due to publish new legislation today giving effect to the St Andrew's proposals for restoring devolution in the North.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams will today meet Irish American supporters a day ahead of the Irish and British governments’ deadline for responses to their plan for restoring power-sharing at Stormont.

A hardline DUP MP has prompted further pessimism about the prospects for progress in the North following an uncompromising speech last night.

The SDLP has expressed concerns about the St Andrew's proposals put forward in an effort to restore devolution in the North.

Maxine Carr has become one of the most infamous women in Britain. Her face and features are today instantly recognisable.

A major advertising campaign aimed at combating racism was launched by the Scottish Executive today - as a new survey found one in four Scots admit they are racist.

Detectives have returned a religious relic which is believed to be part of the body of Christ's apostle Andrew to the Russian Orthodox Church.